Any opinions on boxers as family pets?

Question

do they make good pets? are they friendly? i am thinking about getting a new and am still in the process of researching different breeds and advice will be appreciated.

Answer 1

Depends on what kind of family you have, and, like any dog, how much time you have to devote to one. My Fiance' has a pair, and my older son(8 yrs) was terrified of big dogs.(HIS Dad raises labradors, and one bit my son in the face, putting him in the hospital for 3 days.) My son met the Boxers, and was a little nervous at first, but the dogs are such big clowns, in no time they were all 3 playing in the yard, and my son cried when we left. So, when they had a litter last June, he was given a puppy, and he loves her. She sleeps with him on his bed, and plays all day with him!
They are, however, semi-stubborn, and don't think of themselves as "Dogs", and think it is quite rude of a human to ask them to get off the couch and sleep on the floor. The female is the territorial one, and lets us know if anyone is nearby. (We live on 120 acres) The Male, is a laid-back, happy boy, and loves everyone, and gets offended and pouts if someone comes over and doesn't pet him. They are HORRIBLE Beggars, and they DO snore, and pass gas. A LOT. But they are very gentle and tolerant with my other son, a 3 yr old, who thinks it's great fun to try to put his jacket on them. (we live in MN, and it's been between -17 and +12 degrees for the last few weeks.) They do go out in the cold, but are quick to go potty, and want back in. These are the Brindle Boxers, German bloodlines, and, although I haven't ever owned one, but have talked with owners of a couple fawn and white ones, I've heard the fawns are a lot more energetic and a little hyper. (Could be just the way they were raised.) Good luck on your search! (BTW, they just had a new litter of 7, that are almost 4 weeks old, if you're close to MN and wanna look!

Answer 2

I've had three boxers and have never had a aggressive one,I've had all females and had them spayed.They are high energy,loyal,and loving. It's all in how you raise them if they become mean,it not the breed,you can make any dog mean and bite! Boxers are a really popular breed to have in my area a lot of my friends have them and wouldn't be without one or two,they have raised there kids around them. Find a good breeder who is breeding for the breed not the money the puppy brings!!!

Answer 3

My experience is that they are pretty good dogs in character but do your research and talk to a/your vet to see if this breed is right for you. Way to many people get a dog or cat because it looks cool but they don't realize that certain breeds are or were bred for a specific reason, i.e. retrievers retreive and need A LOT of exercise. For this they get a cool dog but then soon realize that their lifestyle does not match the poor pooches and it ends up getting sent to the "farm" that many of our childhood pets went to.
Good luck!

Answer 4

boxers are good - they are very active dogs and will require a lot of time with training.
Younger boxers love to chew and romp and realy act crazy..

A golden retriever is a real calm dog
A lhasa apso is a nice smaller size dog that easy to train and they love attention.
There is also the english bulldog.
depending on the size of dog you want -
in the larger breeds my favorates are the St Benard and the Mastiff

Keep doing your research to learn about the different breeds - you need to find one that has the temperment and characteristics that will fit in with your lifestyle...
try the akc website - I think its www.akc.org (if not just do a search to find it)
Another website I like is puppyfind - its
www.puppyfind.com
this site has a lot of information also and pictures of all the different breeds

Good Luck and happy dog hunting

Answer 5

I really depends on that spacific dog but boxers tend to be protective of there family once they bond with them and some like children ome don't. If you get a boxer now and sometime in the future a new born baby comes along don't be suprised if the boxer tries to attack the little one. my opinion boxers make good family pets a lot of the time but don't get one if there is a chance there might be a new comer into the family.

Answer 6

Just like any breed, you need to do some research and make sure your lifestyle fits that of the breed. They are high high high energy dogs, and will require alot of exercise. If you are getting one from a puppy, an obedience and socialization class are a must. They can be wary of strangers and other animals, so exposure as a puppy is absoluately necessary to make sure they are healthy and well adjusted. They have alot of health issues that the parents of any puppy you purchase should be screened for, including cardiac and orthopedic issues. They are very loving to their families though, and make great companions. They are not ideal if you're going to be gone long periods of time. They are very family bonded, and need to spend their time with their family. They are not outdoor dogs as they have limited ability to adapt to both cold and hot temperatures, and they don't like being by themselves. I have one, and I love my guy to death, but he travels with me alllllll the time, to work, to the barn, everywhere I go. He's indoors and with the family constantly. If you have other pets, they can be small animal aggressive and have a high prey drive, but if you raise them from puppyhood with other small animals (cats) they can be perfectly happy with them. Mine was a breeding male for 4 years before I got him, so he's slightly more aggressive with other dogs, and more protective of me than I think he would necessarily be if he hadn't been intact so long, however they are bully breeds (same family as all of the bull working dogs, English Bulldogs, Pit Bulls, American Bulldogs, etc) and as such they have similar personalities, stubborn, protective, bonded, high prey drive, strong/powerful, etc. They are all generally friendly, but cautious and wary of strangers until they get to know them. Overall, I would definately support them in the right family :) As was mentioned in a previous answer, they are definately clowns and mine entertains me on a regular basis with his overall attitude.

Answer 7

boxers are good pets it depends on how they are raised do you have kids if so make sure you are in the room at all times till the dog knows that they will not hurt them but they are playing. when the dog just lays there as the child is pulling on him or her give them a treat.

we have always had labs at no time do they turn on you they will pretect you weather they are trained or not we had one that was killed by a horse it got in between my sister and the horse when the horse was spooked by some thing .

Answer 8

my boxer ginger just died. i think she was a great pet and my family had her since i was born so she was kid friendly. they also shake yur hand without you having to teach them . They also protect you pretty good. i think you should get one

Answer 9

My buddy has two and they are the most hyper-annoying dogs I have ever seen. I love dogs and have always had them, but damn, I'd never own a boxer.

Answer 10

they are very..."bouncy"....
they might knock a young child down...aw hell, they WILL knock a young child down...but they are very loving and affectionate and intelligent...I highly recommend obedience training, tho!